(Riverton) A delay in the delivery of the precast concrete and new metal screw gate required to replace the failing Spring Creek outlet at the Riverton Wildlife Area will impact the ability for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to pump water on to the main marsh, north of county road J46.
Matt Dollison, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR’s Nishnabotna Wildlife Unit, said the materials were supposed to arrive in plenty of time to complete the outlet replacement so they could begin pumping on the normal start date of August 15, but that didn’t happen. The new expected completion date when pumping will begin is around September 1.
The delay will not impact the ability to pump water onto the Jensen Tract, south of the highway.
Dollison said, “The teal only season hunting opportunity north of the highway is going to be limited, but it will be business as usual south of town, so if the teal show up, there should be some good hunting on the Jenson Tract.” He said they are monitoring the water levels in the East and West Nishnabotna rivers, which are the sources for water pumped into the Riverton area.
“Staff have disked the holes on Riverton and the habitat looks excellent ahead of the regular duck season. There should be good hunting on the entire marsh for the regular duck seasons, the water may just be a little lower than normal up north.”
